Serious injuries

Vienna: Subway surfer (17) dies in hospital

The seconds before the fatal collision. The "Krone" has video footage of the now fatal incident - we are publishing a screenshot as a warning.

(Bild: zVg, Krone KREATIV)

Doctors at the Meidling Accident Hospital tried everything until the very end to save the life of the 17-year-old "subway surfer" who had an accident on the roof of a U4 train outside Schönbrunn. In vain. His family has to come to terms with his senseless death.

Doctors confirmed the report of the boy's death to the "Krone" newspaper. After the emergency neurosurgical operation - which was initiated immediately after he was admitted - the boy suffered massive swelling of the brain, which could no longer be controlled even with the most modern medical treatment. At the weekend, his family had to face the bitter truth: Brain death had occurred.

Family agreed to organ donation
According to reports, the relatives agreed to several organ donations. In Austria, doctors are allowed to make this decision on their own. However, in this case, as always, it was important to reach agreement with the family. "Especially when a child dies, there is often something comforting for the family," says the hospital.

18-year-old injured even more seriously
Meanwhile, doctors at the General Hospital are fighting for the life of an 18-year-old who also suffered serious head injuries in the accident. According to doctors, he was even more seriously injured than the 17-year-old. A 13-year-old and a 16-year-old escaped - physically - essentially unscathed.

(Bild: APA/EVA MANHART)

(Bild: Leserreporter, Krone KREATIV)

Crashed into pedestrian bridge
The four teenagers had crashed into a pedestrian bridge on the roof of the U4 on Tuesday afternoon while on an illegal ride - the train was still traveling at around 50 km/h. The emergency services even had to carry out resuscitation on the spot. The subway train driver received crisis psychology treatment. The shocking thing is that the young people apparently ruined their lives just for a video on the internet.

Urgent warning from Wiener Linien
In this context, Wiener Linien also points out that such actions and tests of courage are always associated with danger to life: "We urge you to refrain from such reckless and life-threatening actions. No TikTok video, test of courage or selfie in the world is worth climbing onto a subway or streetcar and risking your life. Anyone who notices a dangerous situation should immediately activate the emergency call devices in the vehicles or on the platform."